Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks Steve. I've decided not to hook up the NFT yet, until I get the hang of things. I'm going to start with a simple, (5) 5 gallon bucket system. I have all the parts I need, so I'll have something to do tonight. All I need to buy is the Pea Gravel. I went to Home Depot this AM & all they had was All Purpose Gravel, which seemed too big to me.

do you have any bulk landscape supply places? they may have some screened gravel that is about 10-15mm in size.

I'll look into it Jaymie. I'm soooo excited! I spoke to Dr. Mike Mcgee this AM & he told me to swing by his acuaculture project on the other side of the island! I'm going to try to make it this Saturday!!

Very nice Felix, that's handy having someone involved with fish local....

Might be a source of stocking fish for the future

I agree! This guy says provides "seed" for food & ornamental fish projects, as well as shrimp. He said he doesn't work with AP, but a friend of his does (Jim Rakocy!!!)

Then he'll certainly know what you're on about Felix.... see if you can tee up a trip to see the Rakocy system.....

How far from the Virgin Islands are you Felix??

To St. Croix, about an hour flight from San Juan. I went there (to St. Croix) a couple years ago. I went to Christianstead, the drier part of the island.

They're regarded as running some great hands on short courses out there Felix....

Make some enquiries if you have the time available...

I could probably make the time, its the money I don't have!! I wrote to Jim Rakocy right before I learned of this website. It'd cost me at least $1,500 US to go. I won't dismiss the idea, I just can't afford to go for now!

Plus I have to save some $$ to take my wife to OZ! She's always wanted to go... & I can go see a good buddy of mine- http://www.rodticklesigns.com/

Wow just had a virus notification from that link!

Really? I'll email Rod about it.

Ok here's the latest: I cut & assembled everything (No glue). It took about 20 minutes for the pump to fill up the buckets. You can see the water trickling on the photos. My main concern right now is- I need to drill holes in the bottom of the standpipe. Since the pump isn't really pushing a whole lot of water, I feel I'm going to have to drill fairly small holes so that the buckets don't empty faster than they're filling. Drilling small holes would probably mean they're gonna clog real fast, no? What are my options as of now? (without having to buy a bigger pump?)

Thanks!
Felix

MW, once the buckets are filled with media it will take about half the time to fill.

6mm to 8mm holes have worked well for me, and once light is excluded algae blocking wont be a problem. Start with two holes and then test

Careful of the last bucket looks like its had glue or paint or something in it